Rules and law
What documents should and shouldn't be kept in your car
Which documents you may need to show the police, why you don't have to carry them in the car, and which personal papers are best kept out of your vehicle.
There is no law that says you must keep any documents in your car. However, if the police ask to see certain documents, you need to be able to produce them. These days so much is handled online that you can manage your insurance and tax without ever seeing a piece of paper, but it is still worth knowing what you may be asked for and where to keep it.
Your driving licence
Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to carry your driving licence while you drive. Many people choose to, and if you do, keep it somewhere you always know where it is, such as your wallet or purse. If you lose it, replace it straight away.
Documents the police can ask to see
According to GOV.UK, if you are stopped, the police can ask to see your:
- driving licence
- insurance certificate
- MOT certificate
If you don't have these documents with you, you have 7 days to take them to a police station. It is against the law not to show the documents within that time.
Keep these documents together at home, somewhere safe and secure but easy to find if you are asked for them.
Your V5C logbook
The vehicle registration certificate, or V5C logbook, records the car's details, including the make, model, registration number and registered keeper. You don't need to carry it, and it is generally best kept at home rather than in the car, as a thief who has the car and the logbook may find the car easier to sell on.
What not to keep in your car
Leaving personal documents in your car is a bad idea. That includes your passport, tax forms, bank statements and any post. If your car is broken into and these are taken, someone could use your personal or business details for their own gain, and it can lead to identity theft.
As a rule, keep anything with your personal details out of the car, and don't leave valuables on show.
Insurance for drivers who work on the road
Kompare doesn't currently offer quotes for car insurance. If you drive for a living, our van insurance, courier insurance and taxi insurance pages explain how a specialist broker from our panel can help.